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Goal

This project will bring a pottery wheel into our art program to give students the opportunity to experience both traditional and modern methods of shaping clay. Students will explore how cultures have used pottery to tell stories across time by studying the book When Clay Sings by Tom Bahti and examining authentic pottery shards. They will then create their own clay vessels on the wheel, decorated with symbols and designs that tell their own stories.

The objectives are to:

Teach students hands-on ceramic skills.

Connect classroom art-making to cultural history.

Build patience, problem-solving, and fine motor skills.

Expand access to experiences normally found only in advanced or community studios. 

 

Category

Other -  

 

What will be done with my students

Step 1: Inspiration (Weeks 1–2)
Students will read When Clay Sings together and handle authentic pottery shards as a respectful introduction to the idea that art carries cultural meaning.

Step 2: Handbuilding Foundations (Weeks 3–4)
Students will create coil and pinch pots, learning how early potters worked without wheels.

Step 3: Wheel Introduction (Weeks 5–6)
The pottery wheel will be introduced through teacher demonstrations. Students will learn how to center clay and pull up walls to create their first wheel-thrown forms.

Step 4: Storytelling Through Design (Weeks 7–8)
Students will decorate their pots with meaningful designs, inspired by the cultural motifs they studied but tied to their own lives and stories.

Step 5: Reflection and Display (Week 9)
Students will write short reflections: What story does your pot tell? Finished works will be displayed in a school showcase and shared with the community.

Who: One lead art teacher with support from classroom aides.
When: The project will take place over a nine-week grading period.
How Many Impacted: Approximately 160 students this school year, with hundreds more in future years as the wheel becomes a permanent part of the program.

What makes this activity unique is that students will not just learn a skill—they will connect it to history, literature, and personal storytelling. They will experience the same tactile joy and challenge that potters have felt for thousands of years. 

 

Benefits to my students

Outputs (direct results): At least 160 students will create one handbuilt vessel and one wheel-thrown vessel this year.

Outcomes (measurable improvements): Students will demonstrate increased craftsmanship in clay handling, deeper understanding of cultural context, and stronger personal expression.

Evaluation will be based on:
Project rubrics that measure creativity, craftsmanship, and storytelling.
Student reflections comparing cultural and personal symbolism.
Display participation (all students submit at least one finished piece).

Future Impact:
Because the wheel is durable, it will be reused year after year. Estimated impact: 160 students annually × 10 years = 1,600+ students. 

 

Budget Narrative

This project requires the purchase of one pottery wheel and accessories to allow students to throw clay vessels. The pottery wheel will cost approximately $849. To maximize use, additional bats ($32.96) will allow students to remove and store pieces without interrupting others. Clay ($95) ensures all students have adequate material to create multiple projects. Finally, $23.04 is budgeted for shipping and handling.

Total Program Supplies: $1,000.00 

 

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